4 Reasons To Grow Sage & 20 Brilliant Ways To Use It

Native to the Mediterranean region, sage has a long history of medicinal and culinary use. And with shimmering silvery-green leaves and pretty blue flowers, the sage plant is as beautiful as it is functional.

Here’s why sage deserves a place in every garden:

1. It’s Easy to Grow

This perennial, evergreen shrub is easy to plant and, once established, even easier to care for. It does best in full sun and well-draining soil.

If you practice companion planting, place sage next to the brassica family, which includes broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower.

Be sure to choose an edible variety of sage to grow in your herb garden, such as Garden Sage, Purple Sage, Tri-color Sage or Golden Sage.

3. It Repels Garden Pests

Planting sage outdoors works to keep vegetable-munching pests like cabbage moths and carrot flies at bay – a must for any organic gardener.

4. It Attracts Pollinators

Bring butterflies, hummingbirds and bees to your backyard with the earthy tones of the sage plant.

These creatures will add color and vibrancy to your garden, while helping to pollinate your flowers and plants.

Uses for Sage

Here are 20 ways to make use of your sage plant:

In the Kitchen

With an intense flavor reminiscent of eucalyptus, lemon, and mint, sage is a fantastic culinary herb to have on hand. Use it sparingly in the kitchen though – a little can go a long way!

1. Infused Oils

Infuse pure oil with the earthy aroma and flavor of sage to preserve your harvest. These infusions take just minutes to prepare, don’t require any special equipment, and make fantastic handmade gifts.

This sage and peppercorn olive oil recipe can be used as a substitute for fresh sage in baked, stewed or slow cooked dishes; or as a marinade for meat, fish or vegetables.

2. Herbal Butter

Take your butter to the next level by adding some homegrown sage. It’s great on top of grilled chicken or fish or tossed with steamed vegetables. This sage butter recipe uses shallots, lemon and black pepper for added kick.

3. Rosemary Sage Seasoning Salt

This fantastic flavor combination not only helps preserve your herb garden bounty, it makes for a simple yet delicious meat rub. It can also be stirred into soups and stews, or sprinkled on roasted vegetables and scrambled eggs. Here is the recipe.

4. Sage and Onion Stuffing

Perhaps one of the most common uses for sage in the kitchen, this flavorsome sage and onion stuffing can be served as a vegetarian side or in the traditional stuffed turkey.

For Health and Wellbeing

Historically used for ailments ranging from mental disorders to gastrointestinal discomfort, today sage is still believed to improve health and wellbeing in a variety of ways:

10. Make a Healing Oil

Harness the potent healing powers of sage in a homemade oil. Although it is a complex process (outlined here), distilling your own essential oils can be very rewarding.

To make a slightly less potent sage oil – a much simpler process – infuse the dried herb in a carrier oil like jojoba or olive for three to six weeks. This anti-inflammatory and antibacterial oil can be used to improve memory and attention, as a gargle for sore throats, and to give a pain-killing massage.

11. Sage Tea for Mouth and Throat Problems

Sage is commonly brewed into a tea – or used as a gargle – to kill the pain of sore throats, mouth ulcers, gum disease, laryngitis and coughs thanks to its astringent, antiseptic, and antibacterial qualities.

If you have a toothache, mix a tablespoon of sea salt with two tablespoons of dried sage in a little whiskey or water. Swish this around your mouth for a few minutes before spitting out.

14. Natural Body Deodorizer

For improved health and the good of the environment, embrace natural ways of smelling good – including by eating more sage! Herbs like sage, basil, parsley, mint, and rosemary are all said to be natural body deodorizers when eaten or juiced regularly.

15. Burn Sage Smudge Sticks

The burning of herbs, a practice known as smudging, has been used for thousands of years to cleanse the air of impurities such as bacteria and viruses. Smudging is also used as a traditional mystical ritual, changing, clearing and shifting the surrounding air – and is often used to raise the vibrations of the home.

Sage is by far the most popular herb to smudge with – simply take a dried bundle of sage, light it, quickly blow the flame out, and allow the smoke to waft around the house.

16. Reduce Menopausal Symptoms

Some research suggests that taking extract of common sage for eight weeks can improve the symptoms of menopause, especially hot flashes.

17. Relieve Congestion

Add a tablespoon of dried sage, a handful of fresh leaves or a few drops of sage oil to three cups of water and bring to a boil. Transfer immediately to a large, heat proof bowl.

Drape a towel over your head and lean over the bowl, breathing in the healing vapors for up to ten minutes. This process can be repeated several times a day until symptoms improve.

18. Natural Household Cleaner

Thanks to its antimicrobial and antifungal effects, sage makes an effective and all-natural kitchen and bathroom cleaning agent – especially when coupled with white vinegar. Research has even shown sage to be effective against both E. coli and salmonella.

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